Heat shield positioning assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly for protecting a sensor connected to a wiring harness is disclosed. The assembly includes a heat shield having a bore for receiving the sensor. An elongated harness sleeve extends outwardly from the sensor and through the bore of the heat shield, the harness sleeve surrounding the wiring harness. A positioning device for holding the heat shield at a predetermined position along the harness sleeve engages both the harness sleeve and the heat shield. The positioning device is formed from an elongated band that surrounds a central space. A plurality of flexible, resilient fingers are positioned on the band and extend inwardly into the central space. The fingers forcibly engage the harness sleeve to hold the device and the heat shield with which it is engaged in a predetermined position along the harness sleeve surrounding the sensor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a device for positioning and holding a protective sleeve or other elongated item at a predetermined position covering a sensor or other object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sensors used in automotive applications, such as oxygen sensors which provide data to control engine operation and performance, are often mounted within the engine compartment of a vehicle where they are subject to a harsh environment including intense radiant heat and constant vibration during vehicle operation. In view of the harsh environment, it is advantageous to cover the relatively delicate sensors with protective sleeving which can damp vibration and reflect radiant heat. Such sleeves often comprise an elongated tube having an inner damping layer of a non-woven material, for example, polyester felt. The inner damping layer is surrounded by a reflective layer comprising, for example, an aluminum foil layer laminated with a reinforcing layer such as a woven scrim of polymer filaments or a polymer sheet material.

Due to the nature of the protective sleeve and its environment, it is difficult to attach the sleeve to the sensor in a manner which will allow the sleeve to be reliably secured in a desired position and also be readily removable for installation and servicing of the sensor. Adhesives, tape and frictional fits are used to effect attachment, but these methods all suffer various disadvantages. Adhesive attachment of the sensor, while generally secure, permanently attaches the sleeve to the sensor. As a result, this method does not allow for easy removal and reuse of the sleeve for servicing of the sensor. Tape and friction fits are unreliable and simply not feasible in view of the heat and vibration encountered by the sensor and its protective sleeve within the engine compartment. Clearly, there is a need for a device that can position and hold a protective sleeve reliably and securely in a desired predetermined position in the face of harsh environmental factors and yet be easily movable to allow for repeated removal and reuse of the sleeve as required for servicing of the sensor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a positioning device for holding a first elongated member at a predetermined position along a second elongated member. The second elongated member is positioned within a bore extending through the first elongated member. The positioning device comprises a band surrounding a central space. A plurality of flexible, resilient fingers are mounted on the band. Each finger has a first end attached to the band and a second end that extends inwardly into the central space. The second ends are engageable with the second elongated member received within the central space. The band and the fingers are slidably movable along the second elongated member to the predetermined position upon the application of a force to the band directed along the second elongated member. To move the band, the force must be sufficient to overcome the resistance between the fingers and the second elongated member. The fingers forcibly engage the second elongated member and hold the band in the predetermined position in the absence of the force. The band is engageable with the first elongated member for holding it in the predetermined position along the second elongated member.

Preferably, the band is elongated, has a circular perimeter, and may be tapered. The band may be sized so as to interfit within the bore of the first elongated member. A rim is attached to the band and extends outwardly therefrom. The rim is engageable with the first elongated member.

In practical applications, the invention comprises an assembly used to hold a heat shield in position on a sensor connected to a wiring harness. The assembly includes the heat shield, which has a bore for receiving the sensor, an elongated harness sleeve that is positionable to extend outwardly from the sensor and through the bore of the heat shield, (the harness sleeve being positionable to surround and protect the wiring harness), and a positioning device as described above for holding the heat shield at a predetermined position along the harness sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view of an assembly for protecting a sensor according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate various embodiments of a positioning device used with the assembly according to the invention, shown in perspective views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a positioning device assembly 10 according to the invention used to affix a protective sensor sleeve 12 over a sensor 14 mounted within an engine compartment 16 of a vehicle. In this example, sensor sleeve 12 comprises an elongated tube 18 having a bore 20 sized to receive the sensor 14. Tube 18 is preferably formed of a damping layer 22 and an outwardly facing reflective layer 24.

Sensor 14, for example, an oxygen sensor, is connected to a microprocessor (not shown) via a wiring harness 26 through which it provides data used by the microprocessor to control engine operation and performance. Preferably, the wiring harness 26 is covered by an elongated protective harness sleeve 28 that extends substantially along the length of the harness. Harness sleeve 28 is preferably extruded from a polymer material and has corrugations 30 extending circumferentially to provide radial stiffness and bending flexibility.

Positioning device assembly 10 includes the harness sleeve 28 and a positioning device 32 (described in detail below) that engages both the harness sleeve 28 and the sensor sleeve 12. In use, as shown in a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the harness sleeve 28 is received within the bore 20 of the sensor sleeve 12. Sensor sleeve 12 is moved lengthwise along the harness sleeve 28 and positioned surrounding the sensor 14. Positioning device 32, while in engagement with harness sleeve 28, is moved lengthwise along the harness sleeve and into engagement with the sensor sleeve 12, for example, received within bore 20. Engagement of the positioning device with both the harness and sensor sleeves affixes the sensor sleeve at a predetermined position along the harness sleeve that coincides with it surrounding and protecting the sensor 14.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate in detail various embodiments of positioning devices according to the invention. In its preferred embodiment, positioning device 32, shown in FIG. 3, is formed of a flexible, resilient, heat resistant polymer such as nylon and comprises a band 34 surrounding a central space 36. Band 34 is preferably elongated and has a circular perimeter so that it may readily engage the bore 20 of sensor sleeve 12 as shown in FIG. 2. With reference again to FIG. 3, a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers 38, preferably positioned at an end of band 34, extend inwardly into the central space 36. Fingers 38 in this embodiment are wedge shaped and positioned spaced apart relation to one another around band 34. Each finger 38 has a free end 38 a that preferably has a shape that is substantially complementary to the harness sleeve (see FIGS. 1 and 2) or other elongated item that it will engage. Opposite free end 38 a, the fingers 38 are fixed to the band 34 in the manner of a cantilever spring. The cantilever action is advantageous because it allows the finger ends 38 a to resiliently deflect and permit the positioning device 32 to be moved relatively to the harness sleeve 28. When used in conjunction with fingers 38, a corrugated harness sleeve 28, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is particularly advantageous because the corrugations 30, formed of alternating crests 30 a and troughs 30 b, provide a natural engagement feature for the fingers 38 that ensures reliable positioning of the positioning element 32 and yet allows it to move easily upon the application of a force directed along the harness sleeve. Such a force, applied to the band 34 with sufficient magnitude, causes the fingers 38 to deflect in the manner of cantilevers and permit the ends 38 a to ride over the crests 30 a and snap resiliently into the troughs 30 b to establish a new position for the positioning device 32. It is also feasible, in the absence of corrugations 30, to rely on friction between the finger ends 38 a and the elongated item that they engage. Furthermore, the elongated item need not be harness sleeve 28, as the fingers 38 might directly engage the wiring harness in the absence of a protective sleeve. For any embodiment, the force applied to move the positioning device 32 must be sufficient to overcome the resistance between the fingers 38 and any elongated component that they engage.

A rim 40 is attached to band 34. In this example rim 40 is positioned at the same end of the band as the fingers 38. Rim 40 extends radially outwardly from band 34 and acts as a stop when the positioning device 32 engages the sensor sleeve 12.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment 33 of the positioning device, substantially similar to device 32 but wherein the fingers 38 are positioned adjacent to one another.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment 42 of the positioning device according to the invention. Positioning device 42 comprises an elongated, tapered band 44 to which are attached a plurality of fingers 46. Band 44 defines a central space 48 into which the fingers 46 extend. The fingers 46 are arranged circumferentially around the band 44 adjacent to one another (alternately, they may be in spaced apart relation). Preferably, the ends 46 a of fingers 46 are shaped (in this case with a circular arc) to accommodate the elongated item that they will engage during use. A rim 50 extends radially from band 44, the rim being positioned at an opposite end of band 44 from the fingers 46.

Yet another alternate embodiment 52 of the positioning device is depicted in FIG. 6. Again, the device 52 comprises a band 54 to which a plurality of resilient, flexible fingers 56 are attached. The band 54 is not elongated as in the embodiments previously described but, nevertheless, defines a central space 58 into which the fingers 56 extend.

Positioning devices and positioning assemblies according to the invention provide numerous advantages for securing protective sleeves or other items at a predetermined position along an elongated item such as a wiring harness. They securely fasten the protective sleeve at the desired position to protect a component and yet are easily moved along the elongated item to reposition the sleeve. This allows the sleeve to be quickly removed from the item for component maintenance and then readily repositioned to protect the component without damage to the sleeve, thereby allowing it to be reused. Furthermore, the positioning assembly or device can be part of a sub-assembly that includes the component, wiring harness, harness sleeve and component sleeve. This saves time during integration of the sub-assembly into the vehicle as the steps of assembling the protective sleeve are eliminated. 

1. A positioning device for holding a first elongated member at a predetermined position along a second elongated member, said second elongated member being positioned within a bore extending through said first elongated member, said positioning device comprising: a band surrounding a central space; and a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers, each having a first end attached to said band and a second end extending inwardly into said central space, said second ends being engageable with said second elongated member received within said central space, said band and said fingers being slidably movable along said second elongated member to said predetermined position upon the application of a force to said band directed along said second elongated member and sufficient to overcome resistance between said fingers and said second elongated member, said fingers forcibly engaging said second elongated member and holding said band in said predetermined position in the absence of said force, said band being engageable with said first elongated member for holding said first elongated member in said predetermined position along said second elongated member.
 2. A positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said band has a circular perimeter.
 3. A positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said band is elongated.
 4. A positioning device according to claim 3, wherein said band is sized so as to interfit within said bore of said first elongated member.
 5. A positioning device according to claim 3, wherein said band is tapered.
 6. A positioning device according to claim 3, further comprising a rim attached to said band and extending outwardly therefrom, said rim being engageable with said second elongated member.
 7. A positioning device according to claim 6, wherein said rim is attached at one end of said band.
 8. A positioning device according to claim 7, wherein said fingers are positioned at an end of said band opposite to said one end.
 9. A positioning device according to claim 7, wherein said fingers are positioned at said one end of said band.
 10. A positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said fingers are wedge shaped, said first end being wider than said second end.
 11. A positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said fingers are positioned adjacent to one another.
 12. A positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said fingers are positioned in spaced apart relation around said band relatively to one another.
 13. A positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said second end of at least one of said fingers has a shape complementary to said second elongated member.
 14. In combination, a positioning device and an elongated member, said positioning device for holding a sleeve at a predetermined position along said elongated member, said elongated member being positionable within a bore extending through said sleeve, said combination comprising: a band surrounding a central space and engageable with said sleeve; and a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers, each having a first end attached to said band and a second end extending inwardly into said central space, said second ends being engageable with said elongated member received within said central space, said band and said fingers being slidably movable along said elongated member to said predetermined position upon the application of a force to said band directed along said elongated member and sufficient to overcome resistance between said fingers and said elongated member, said fingers forcibly engaging said elongated member and holding said band in said predetermined position in the absence of said force, said band being engageable with said sleeve for holding said sleeve in said predetermined position along said elongated member.
 15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein said elongated member comprises a plurality of corrugations, said fingers engaging said corrugations and thereby maintaining said band in said predetermined position, said fingers being resiliently flexible and passing over said corrugations upon motion of said band relatively to said elongated member.
 16. A positioning device according to claim 14, wherein said band has a circular perimeter.
 17. A positioning device according to claim 14, wherein said band is elongated.
 18. A positioning device according to claim 17, wherein said band is sized so as to interfit within said bore of said elongated member.
 19. A positioning device according to claim 17, wherein said band is tapered.
 20. A positioning device according to claim 17, further comprising a rim attached to said band and extending outwardly therefrom.
 21. A positioning device according to claim 20, wherein said rim is attached at one end of said band.
 22. A positioning device according to claim 21, wherein said fingers are positioned at an end of said band opposite to said one end.
 23. A positioning device according to claim 21, wherein said fingers are positioned at said one end of said band.
 24. A positioning device according to claim 14, wherein said fingers are wedge shaped, said first end being wider than said second end.
 25. A positioning device according to claim 14, wherein said fingers are positioned adjacent to one another.
 26. A positioning device according to claim 14, wherein said fingers are positioned in spaced apart relation around said band relatively to one another.
 27. A positioning device according to claim 14, wherein said second end of at least one of said fingers has a shape complementary to said elongated member.
 28. An assembly for protecting a sensor connected to a wiring harness, said assembly comprising: a heat shield having a bore for receiving said sensor; an elongated harness sleeve being positionable to extend outwardly from said sensor and through said bore of said heat shield, said harness sleeve being positionable to surround said wiring harness; a positioning device for holding said heat shield at a predetermined position along said harness sleeve, said positioning device comprising: an elongated band surrounding a central space; a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers, each having a first end attached to said band and a second end extending inwardly into said central space, said second ends being engageable with said harness sleeve; a rim attached to said band and extending outwardly therefrom; and said band, said fingers and said rim being slidably movable along said harness sleeve to said predetermined position upon the application of a force to said band directed along said harness sleeve and sufficient to overcome resistance between said fingers and said harness sleeve, said fingers forcibly engaging said harness sleeve and holding said band in said predetermined position in the absence of said force, one of said band and said rim being engageable with said heat shield and holding it in said predetermined position along said harness sleeve. 